Method and apparatus for docking a robotic device with a charging station
US8352114B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 20, 2011 |
| Grant date | Jan 8, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 20, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG05D1/0242
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A docking system includes a mobile robotic device and a charging station to which the robotic device is to dock. The robotic device is comprised of sensors to capture a homing signal emitted by the charging station, docking logic that processes the homing signal so that it can be used to control the movements of the robotic device towards and dock with the charging station, and it is comprised of a mechanism for receiving a cylindrical charging post. The charging station is comprised of a circular platform in the center of which is located the charging post that is generally cylindrical in shape. The charging post includes a charging contact, ground contacts and an IR emitter. The geometry of the receiver mechanism elements and the shape of the charging post and geometry of the charging station generally permits the robotic device to approach the charging station and to dock with the charging station from any angle.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.